Mike Watchmaker

A few quick notes on some Independence Day weekend stakes action: I’m a Caracortado fan, but Courageous Cat was a much more decisive winner of the Shoemaker Mile than his margin of a neck over Caracortado would suggest. But this post-race talk about can’t waiting for Courageous Cat to tackle Goldikova in the Breeders’ Cup Mile? Be careful what you wish for. Let’s first hope that Courageous Cat can actually put a complete campaign together, something he hasn’t always been able to do.

There was so much hope! Twirling Candy was lights out winning his return at Hollywood. Friend Or Foe and Rail Trip battled it out in their comebacks at Belmont in the manner of those intent on breaking big – in the case of Rail Trip, it would be breaking big again – in their division. Tizway had everyone chasing him wondering which way he went in the Met Mile. It seemed, after months of mediocrity, the handicap division was finally ready to be the marquee division it is expected to be. And then Saturday’s Stephen Foster Handicap happened.

Since there was some interest in a post I made here two weeks ago concerning Breeders' Cup Classic future book odds from the Race and Sports Book at Wynn Las Vegas, I thought I would post a few of the latest Classic odds from the folks at Wynn, set after the racing of last weekend. I'm not going to relay the odds on every horse, just those of general (or unique to me) interest. Here goes:

Say what you want about Barry Irwin, it is clear he is smart, and a realist.

It’s Belmont Stakes morning at Belmont Park, and while it is good news that the intense heat of the last few days has broken, the bad news is it is still very humid with low overcast. There were showers in the area overnight, and showers are supposed to pop up from time to time during the day. The NYRA’s early morning main track and turf conditions are listed as good for both. The main track is currently sealed, which makes sense because as I write this, the first main track race on the card (race 2) is still a little more than 2 ½ hours away.